multiple sclerosis

Spinal Tap / Lumbar Puncture For Multiple Sclerosis

August 4, 2012 by Sara

There is no single test to diagnose Multiple Sclerosis – it is a clinical diagnosis, meaning that the diagnosis comes about as a result of multiple tests and symptom analysis. When I was diagnosed an MRI, a lumbar puncture, and paralysis in my right arm and on the right side of my face were all taken into account. Although it took years to get to this point, you could say that I was fortunate to have such a clear case – many individuals have a very difficult time receiving a diagnosis while others may be incorrectly diagnosed with MS. The lumbar puncture, or a crude version of it, was developed in 1889 to relieve intracranial pressure for tuberculous meningitis. It has been somewhat refined over the years as many different uses for it were discovered, but the basics remain the same.

Diary Of A Gilenya Pioneer: Latest Gilenya Test Results

July 28, 2012 by Sara

My one year anniversary of taking Gilenya occurred in May, but my first MRI results and latest blood test since beginning treatment occurred only recently. Multiple Sclerosis can be a very unpredictable disease, but prior to treatment with Gilenya I averaged 2 – 3 relapses per year. My neurologists have told met hat the average gap between relapses is 18 months which I have never achieved. However, I am getting closer every day as this is the longest relapse-free period I have ever had since diagnosis. My Gilenya test results during my last office visit were overwhelmingly positive.

Multiple Sclerosis And Relationships: Grace, Kindness And Regret

July 21, 2012 by Sara

If your life is like mine, Multiple Sclerosis has the potential to occupy most of your thoughts during the day. Maybe your symptoms require near-constant attention. Or perhaps, like me, you experience constant nerve pain. I bet you’re irritable. I bet sometimes you wish those around you could feel what you feel so that they could truly understand. I bet that you’re often sad. I bet that you’re driving the world away from you. Multiple Sclerosis and relationships don’t always go well together. I’m writing today about grace, kindness, and regret.

CCSVI And Liberation Therapy

July 15, 2012 by Sara

By now, virtually everyone with Multiple Sclerosis has heard of CCSVI and Liberation Therapy, but how many of us know what it is? Here’s the short and sweet on CCSVI and Liberation Therapy.

Melody And The Mind: Music As Multiple Sclerosis Therapy

July 8, 2012 by Sara

It was 400 BC Greece and Hippocrates treated his mental patients with music. Modern music therapy has existed since 1944 in the United States. In all parts of our world, and at all times, music has been a cherished and important part of life. Music brings people together in celebrations, and we celebrate music itself. Think of the first dance at a wedding, rites of passage such as proms, Christmas carols, rock anthems, gospel songs. One way we connect deeply with the society in which we live and with those around us is with music. How much of our childhoods are wrapped up in songs and lullabies? Welcome to the possibility of music as Multiple Sclerosis therapy.

Those Poor Mice: New Developments In Multiple Sclerosis Research – 2nd Installment

July 2, 2012 by Sara

It’s that time! Time to review all the new Multiple Sclerosis research and developments. Our last research installment was in January . Progress can be so promising.

Every step that science takes toward a cure for Multiple Sclerosis is a step in the right direction. Here are some of the latest findings in the realms of MS research.

Exercise With Multiple Sclerosis

June 24, 2012 by Sara

Do you exercise with Multiple Sclerosis? How many times have you heard the phrase “If you don’t move it you lose it!”

Information is developed and spread so quickly now. When I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a few years ago, patients were advised to avoid exercise as it could bring on worsened symptoms or new attacks. Now we know that this is mostly a fallacy. An active lifestyle for a person with MS means lessened disease activity in the long term and improved fatigue, strength, flexibility, mobility, cardiovascular fitness, bladder function, and bowel function. Those are some very attractive incentives!

Multiple Sclerosis Emergencies: Prepare For The Unexpected

June 17, 2012 by Sara

Sooner or later it will happen – you’re going to have a bad day and you’re going to feel completely screwed. It’s happened to me a few times over the years and it usually involves a car. My husband and I share one car and this usually works out well for us. Then there are the peak vacation times when I discover at the grocery store that the new car battery is defective and have to call a tow truck (and front the cash) call a taxi (with cash on hand) find the one car left in town that has not been rented out and take a $48 ride to pick it up. In 97 degree heat. It was this particular occasion as the stress and heat ganged up on my MS that I realized I needed to prepare better. We must be prepared for Multiple Sclerosis emergencies.